Man arrested after alleyway fire causes smoke-filled flats in Torquay

An investigation is underway after a fire occurred in an alleyway in Torquay in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Two fire crews from the town attended the incident in Tor Hill Road at around 6.15am.

A four-storey building, measuring approximately ten metres by 20 metres, was heavily smoke-logged as a result of the outside fire.

A baby was suffering from breathing difficulties and an ambulance was called to the scene.

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Firefighters used one hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze outside the premises.

The building, comprising of a retail premises on the ground-floor and residential flats above, was cleared of smoke by fire crews using a positive pressure ventilation fan.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said a man had been arrested in connection with the fire.

They said: "Police and the fire service were called to a rubbish fire next to a shop in Tor Hill Road.

"A baby from a nearby property was taken to hospital as a precaution but was later discharged.

"A male has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of arson and police are continuing with their enquiries."

Anyone with information regarding this incident, is asked to contact police on 101 and quote log number 290 of 300912.